I’ve heard it said that watching the Sounders play in the US Open Cup at Starfire is like seeing your favorite band play in a tiny bar. It’s so true. You’re much closer to the action, and it’s a much more intimate setting.

And where else can Marcus Hahnemann head over to the beer garden to trade his jersey for a cold one after winning the match? Seriously, I think every one of these US Open Cup matches has something like this happen. I love them.